Sydney FC and Melbourne City were forced to share the points in their Westfield W-League Grand Final re-match at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
Summary
Sydney FC 1 (67’ Foord) drew w. Melbourne City 1 (75’ Fishlock)
Sydney FC and Melbourne City were forced to share the points in their Westfield W-League Grand Final re-match at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
Second half goals to Caitlin Foord and Jessica Fishlock earned the share of the points in a tense and tight encounter that saw both sides threaten throughout.
The result, Sydney FC’s first draw of the season, sees the Sky Blues remain top of the Westfield W-League ladder with the squad having the BYE in the next round.
What They Said
Head Coach Dan Barrett: “It was a close game, a battle of styles a little bit there and it was very very tight. I felt like we could have won the game, I’m happy to take a point but disappointed we didn’t take three. We’ve had a heavy schedule the last couple of weeks so we’ll take heart from the BYE, freshen up and keep going for the rest of the season.”
Goals
67’ FOORD GOAL – Caitlin Foord charges onto a loose ball just beyond halfway and carries it into the box, beating two defenders, before sweeping home with her left foot to break the deadlock.
75’ FISHLOCK GOAL – Stephanie Catley finds space on the left to float a cross into the area and Jessica Fishlock rises highest to head beyond Sham Khamis to equalise.
Key Moments
6’ YEOMAN-DALE HITS POST – Georgia Yeoman-Dale breaks down the right flank and her lofted cross floats into the near post with the keeper beaten.
20’ CRUMMER OFFSIDE – Larissa Crummer springs the offside trap to fire at goal, with Sham Khamis saving well, however the City forward is flagged offside.
35’ BOLGER OFFSIDE GOAL – Teresa Polias fires in a low cross after her initial corner was cleared, and Nicola Bolger backheels the ball into the net only to be flagged for offside.
77’ SIEMSEN OFFSIDE GOAL – Kyah Simon hooks a ball into the path of Siemsen in the box on the turn and the youngster slots the ball home only to be ruled out by the offside flag.
88’ FISHLOCK SHOT – Jessica Fishlock pounces on a loose ball before unleashing from distance and her effort sails just over Sham Khamis’ crossbar.
Team News
Sydney FC 1 (67’ Foord) drew w. Melbourne City 1 (75’ Fishlock)
Head Coach Daniel Barrett made just the one change to the squad that thrashed Canberra United midweek as Servet Uzular moved to centre back in place of the suspended Alanna Kennedy.
Ground: Allianz Stadium
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Attendance: 857
Sydney FC: 1. Shamiran KHAMIS (gk), 2. Teresa POLIAS (c), 3. Remy SIEMSEN, 4. Elizabeth RALSTON, 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 7. Nicola BOLGER (79’ 12. Olivia PRICE), 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Francisca ORDEGA (74’ 20. Princess IBINI), 13. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 17. Kyah SIMON, 19. Leena KHAMIS.
Subs not used: 15. Sarah EASTHOPE (gk), 11. Natalie TOBIN.
Yellow cards: 37’ Polias, 44’ Simon, 59’ Ordega.
Red cards: none.
Melbourne City: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 3. Lauren BARNES, 5. Laura ALLEWAY, 6. Aivi LUIK, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 9. Larissa CRUMMER (79’ 17. Mariana TABAIN), 10. Jessica FISHLOCK, 13. Rebekah STOTT, 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Beverly GOEBEL YANEZ (89’ 14. Melina AYRES), 19. Tyla JAY VLAJNIC (46’ 11. Erika TYMRAK).
Subs not used: 20. Emily SHIELDS (gk).
Yellow cards: 17’ Yanez.
Red cards: none.
